My Totally Useless Jacket

Posted on May 5, 2011

So back in 2005, I fell head over heels in love with this Alexander McQueen jacket. I saw it while strolling through the 2nd floor of Saks in San Francisco (otherwise known as the Floor I Cannot Afford) and just really, really, die hard wanted it. I took it home with me, determined to wear it all the time.

Of course, I never did, not even once. Because:

a) I was in college…and if the item wasn’t under $20, then I wasn’t risking an apparel death-by-spillage at the local keg party, and
b) I was in college…at Berkeley. You know, Berkeley…that liberal place in California with all the protestors?? This is a fur collared jacket.
c) I somehow got it into my head that this might be something that Marge Simpson + Cruella de Vil might wear, if they ever combined into one person.

It’s lovely (to me) and soft and from one of my favorite designers of all time. But I never ever wear it. So that’s a lesson to me…to not fall in love with items that aren’t practical for my life. After all…my closet is not a museum. But in the meantime I’ll be thinking of ways to work this piece into my wardrobe…I have at least four good months until fall!

Do you have any pieces like this? If so, I’d love to hear about it…and I’ll leave you all with this blurb from one of my top style icons, Ines de la Fressange (buy her book here):

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42 Comments

Paige Wilkins

May 5, 2011 at 12:40 pm

oh my goodness i totally agree. I want this book haha. I bought a 3.1 Phillip Lim Pea coat from bang bang vintage in London. It was such a good buy at £160. It is waist length with a large velvet collar and velvet trims. It has been draped around my mannequin since i bought it, and now it is summer! was just so beautiful, but is true, if it doesnt fit your style or suit anything else in your wadrobe then it cant be worn!

homestilo

May 5, 2011 at 1:36 pm

I think a lot of us get stuck in No.1 n(no, not keg parties). You buy something you are in love with and then it seems way too nice for "everyday wear". My closet is definitely home to some pieces that rarely see the light of day.

HiLLjO

Fashion Is Passion by Poison

May 5, 2011 at 3:06 pm

It is so true! I bought a Paul Smith man's shirt more than a decade ago and never get to wear it. Love it because of its orange photo prints on it.I will post it one of these days. And we can ridicule each other for our buys. LOL

heartbreaker

May 5, 2011 at 3:09 pm

It is indeed very true,gotta to live up to that and not spend on clothes that I would just keep and not wear,what a waste :/ but anyway your fur coat looks gorgeous! I guess there is bound to be a way to incorporate it into your wardrobe during fall! alot more time to go.

Katrina (Betty Ray)

Laura J

May 5, 2011 at 3:56 pm

This jacket is amazing!! However, I do see where your coming from if you wore it during your college days ar Berkely perhaps there might be red paint on it now.. instead of how gorgeous it looksIt is a great classic piece and looks so cozy- I think you had great foresightxoLJhttp://jonesyloves.blogspot.com/

EllysMakeupbag

May 5, 2011 at 5:36 pm

Thanks for your comment! The ring is adjustable in the inside, there are 2 little rings and one bends to adapt to your fingers. It's not amazing as it doesnt fit on my small fingers because it opens only..i hope i make sense haha.

Tangles

May 5, 2011 at 5:48 pm

Fab jacket! I can see why you haven't worn it (in certain situations!), but you totally should! I'm certain I have pieces that have never been worn and probably never will be. I've gotten rid of/donated several pieces like this.

Corina

Angel @ | 77inspire |

May 5, 2011 at 7:15 pm

🙂 i feel ya. My lovely boyrfriend, now husband, bought this amazing Emporio Armani jacket…. and I LOVED it, had to have it. In part, i got it because we were in Hong Kong and we were getting photographed and i couldn't be trolling around in something not amazing. I wore it but then went back to the states where i was still in college and i didn't wear it forever because of all the things you listed.

Your jacket is gorgeous. I hope you have fabulous places to wear it to 🙂

Felicia

district5

May 5, 2011 at 8:24 pm

I think it happened to everybody. Falling in love, buying it and then never wearing. But I learned out of this "shopping mistakes": never through it away or give it to a friend – you might fell in love with this piece again!So keep it in your closet! Love your .McQueen Jacket!

Gina Michele

FleurLapin

May 5, 2011 at 10:08 pm

Are you kidding? I can't believe you don't wear it! I love that jacket despite it being real fur. Wear it all the time! The shape is very classic and still looks very in style. Reminds me of Dior's newest fall collection. Wear it!!

Ramona

Tara @ Haute Lunch

May 5, 2011 at 10:27 pm

This jacket is pretty fabulous! It's unfortunate that you haven't been able to wear it. I have a Bob Mackie dress (not a super flashy one) that I fell in love with and had to have, but have never worn it. I bought it nearly 7 years ago. Ugh.

OtherMix

The Little Dust Princess

thefashionableESQ

May 8, 2011 at 5:04 pm

I have pieces in my closet that still have the tags on them! Yes! I am admitting to this (even if it is in a little comment form).I own a pair of prada peep toe heels that are silk, and see the light of day once a year. But I love them, still…:)